THE recession may have hit many hard in their pockets - but its been good news for the National Trust.

With more people choosing to holiday at home rather than abroad - the "staycationers" - visitor numbers have rocketed.

A record 695,966 paying visitors have flocked to the Trust’s Yorkshire properties this year – up more than 100,000 on 2008.

And membership in the region has also seen a sharp increase with 13,825 new recruits – a 1,601 jump over last year.

Yorkshire’s success mirrors that of the North East where 713,968 headed for the region’s 11 pay-for-entry properties.

This means a total of 1.4m paying visitors have passed through Trust gates in Yorkshire and the North East over the summer season – giving a welcome financial boost to local economies.

Regional director David Ronn said: "At the start of the year we weren’t sure how the recession was going to affect us. We didn’t know if it was a threat or an opportunity we could grasp with both hands.

"As it turns out, we have had a bumper season. What has happened is that Britons are exploring their own country again. We believe that is a long-term good for domestic tourism."

He added: "People will never be weaned off overseas trips, but the National Trust believes it can successfully build on the dividends this year has reaped not just for us, but for the local economy.

"More visitors to National Trust properties means more money going into the local economy. It’s a win-win situation for everyone, especially with the country going through such a dire recession."